Chala and Vula re-entered the arena, the crowd greeted them with excitement and curiosity. Chala resumed her place in the ring. Her dress flowed gracefully around her. She unsheathed her blade with a swift, practiced motion.

  Vula, now decked out in her newly adjusted knight’s armor, took her stance with a knight’s lance. She held it confidently, its tip poised and ready.

  Chala eyed Vula's lance with interest. “Now that’s an interesting weapon you’ve got there. A knight’s lance in a tournament like this? I like it.”

  Vula nodded with a smile. “Thanks. Iv’e been training with this baby for a long time!”

  Stronberg, standing at the edge of the ring, raised his hand. “Alright, folks, let’s get this match underway. Ready… Begin!”

  The battle began with a flurry of furious strikes from Vula. She aimed jabs at Chala and attempted to overwhelm her from the get-go with a relentless assault. Chala's blade moved with grace to block each of Vula's strikes with ease. Vula growled and changed to striking with a slash, but Chala gracefully sidestepped Vula's strike.

  Chala seized the opportunity, delivering a quick and precise slash that pierced through Vula’s armor and cut her on the side.

  Vula clenched her teeth, wincing from the damage she took. She gritted her teeth and muttered to herself, “Of course, Chala’s the champion. Beating her is not gonna be easy. I’ve got to hit hard and fast. No more holding back.”

  Vula called out her sword command, “Surge, Lancina!"

  Her lance became enveloped in a vibrant blue aura. She hurled it with immense force towards Chala. The lance unleashed an explosive burst of power upon impact The force of the explosion sent ripples through the arena.

  The dust settled, revealing Chala standing unscathed amidst the remnants of the explosion.

  Vula’s eyes widened in disbelief. She looked at her lance, now lying at Chala’s feet. She muttered to herself, “Did I miss? No, I definitely hit her... but it doesn’t look like Chala took any damage.”

  Vula gritted her teeth. "I have to catch her off guard!" she muttered to herself and lunged at Chala.

  Chala watched Vula’s approach with a thoughtful look. "She’s running straight at me," Chala mused, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. "Wide open, but something doesn’t feel quite right. Her weapon must have some sort of unique property… perhaps… "

  When Vula closed in, she summoned her lance back into her hands with a swift motion. Chala prepared to counter the incoming strike. Her blade met Vula’s lance with a sharp clash. "So that’s what your weapon can do...”

  Vula grinned. "Watch this!"

  Vula took a step back, allowing the weapon to continue it’s clash. Vula herself remained out of striking distance. The lance, propelled by Vula’s will.

  Chala’s eyes widened slightly. “So, your weapon can continue to fight even when you’re not directly touching it…”

  Vula grinned with satisfaction. “Exactly! You’re not the only one who can adapt in battle! From here, you can’t reach me, and my weapon will keep on attacking.”

  Chala's blade whirled through the air with a series of precise slashes, meeting Vula's lance in a rapid exchange of clashes.

  Vula gritted her teeth, focusing intensely. With a swift, controlled motion, she pulled the lance back and thrust it forward, enveloped in a swirling blue energy. The lance surged with power, pushing against Chala’s defenses. Chala's face tightened in concentration to block the overwhelming force.

  Despite her skills, the intensity of Vula’s energy proved too much. The lance managed to pierce through Chala's defense and graze her side. The crowd gasped at the sight of the cut, and Chala winced, but quickly regained her composure.

  Vula’s lance reappeared in her hands. A triumphant grin spread across her face. “Yes, I’m making progress!”

  Chala looked at Vula with a thoughtful gaze. “You’ve got serious potential, Vula. I can see it in you. But there’s something you’re missing.”

  Vula frowned in curiosity. “What’s that?”

  Chala smiled gently. “Just utilizing sword magic won’t be enough to defeat every opponent you come across. A battle is like a dance. You need to know your partner and think multiple steps ahead. What would you do if I was able to reach you?”

  She paused, letting her words sink in. “That’s something you’ll learn with experience. Right now, you’re excellent with your magic, but understanding the rhythm of battle will take you even further.”

  Chala pulled her blade back. In an instant, her blade extended with crackling lightning energy. Chala made her move with a swift thrust towards Vula. Vula used her lance to intercept Chala's blade, but the sword's power was too overwhelming. It pierced through Vula's defense.

  Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

  The lightning energy engulfed Vula. Her body convulsed from the immense shock. An explosion of energy followed, leaving the audience in awe.

  Vula lay unconscious on the ground in the aftermath. Her armor was charred and her lance beside her reverted to it’s regular form. Chala sheathed her blade and approached the fallen Vula with a sense of respect.

  "That was my Lightning Extension ability. It's a technique that allows me to channel lightning through my sword, extending its reach. It's a move I use sparingly, but I wanted to demonstrate it today."

  She then looked down at Vula with a smile. "Keep honing your skills, and maybe one day, we'll have a rematch."

  The announcer declared Chala as the winner.

  Meanwhile in the crowd, Roselle was starry eyed.

  Roselle clapped her hands enthusiastically, her eyes wide with admiration. “Wow, Chalcon and Chala were incredible! That Lightning Extension move was just amazing!”

  Risebelle glanced over at Roselle with her eyes lowered. “Don’t forget, they could be facing you in the next round. You can’t afford to get all starry-eyed over them.”

  Roselle pouted. “Oh, Come on, Risebelle, you have to admit they were pretty cool! I mean, Chalcon’s moves and Chala’s lightning technique? That was impressive!”

  Risebelle shook her head but remained serious. “Fine, fine. I’ll give them that. But remember, the next match is about you proving yourself, not admiring others.”

  Kintovar chimed in. “It wouldn’t surprise me if they could use sword magic to a greater extent than what they’ve shown so far. Roselle, be prepared to face one of them in the next round."

  Juliana added, "It's always wise to keep an eye on your potential opponents. Learn from their strengths, but don't underestimate your own."

  Kintovar grinned. "Now, were all going to see something extraordinary – the Spear of Destruction in action."

  The next contestant, Rawna, entered the arena. Her long violet hair and piercing gold eyes drew the attention of the crowd.

  Roselle focused on Rawna. The memory of Rawna using the Spear of Destruction to destroy her cannon in the past resurfaced. Despite their current alliance, Roselle couldn't forget the fear and helplessness she had felt during that encounter.

  The announcer boomed. “Hold onto your hats, folks, 'cause we're about to see something truly extraordinary! Let me introduce you to our next challenger—the mighty Rawna!"

  Rawna strode into the arena."Straight from the southern reaches of Jancito, Rawna’s got a reputation that precedes her. Known as the strongest member of the Southern Kingdom led by the witch Olaysa, she's here to bring some serious firepower to this ring!"

  The crowd’s anticipation grew as Rawna took her place. The announcer then shifted focus to the other contestant. "And now, stepping up to face her from the Western Kingdom—give it up for the Prince of Peace himself, Prince Vuldo!"

  Prince Vuldo made his grand entrance. The announcer continued with a flourish, "With his white hair, those striking red and purple eyes, and that crown fit for royalty, Prince Vuldo's got the looks and the authority to match. Dressed to impress in his flowing red cape and black armor, he’s here to show why he's earned the title of Prince of Peace. Let’s see how these two giants clash!"

  The female fans in the audience couldn't contain their excitement. They held up signs with messages like "Marry me, Vuldo!" and other requests that showed just how popular he was among the ladies. The cheers and adoration from his fans echoed throughout the arena.

  Rawna smirked and said, "Seems like you're quite popular today, ‘Prince of Peace’."

  Vuldo chuckled. "Well, what can I say? I'm simply irresistible," he quipped, flashing a confident smile.

  Rawna raised an eyebrow, her gaze still piercing. "Irresistible, huh? I think the ladies just want a taste of the royal charm.”

  Vuldo laughed heartily, “That ‘Royal charm’ will be waiting for you and that date we have planned.”

  A faint smile appeared on Rawna’s face. "Don't flatter yourself too much, Vuldo."

  The moment Stronberg gave the signal to start, Vuldo drew his blade. Rawna, on the other hand, retrieved the spear of destruction. They rushed toward each other, weapons clashing in a spectacular display of power.

  The impact of their weapons meeting sent shockwaves through the arena, and the crowd erupted with excitement.

  Vuldo lunged forward with his blade flashing like a comet. Rawna countered with a swift thrust of her spear. They circled one another, locked in a fierce exchanges. Neither of them gave an inch.

  Rawna suddenly activated the destructive energy of the spear.

  “Spear of destruction!”

  The weapon crackled with dark power and she struck with destructive force. Vuldo barely managed to evade the attack. The spear's edge grazed his armor, leaving a sizzling mark.

  The crowd gasped at the close call. Rawna made a relentless assault with the spear of destruction, forcing Vuldo to parry with his blade. The destructive energy of the spear however, was beginning to cause cracks in the blade.

  Rawna called out,"Vuldo, you're not going to make it through this without using your sword magic. Don't hold back on me, you idiot! You know what will happen to your sword!"

  With a deep breath, he nodded to Rawna. "Alright, I'll do it. Brace yourself, Rawna."

  Vuldo raised his sword high and shouted, "Bring the battle to life, Rekka suru!"

  From the tip of his Vuldo’s blade, a surge of life energy erupted, and the arena was filled with the fragrance of blooming flowers. Vibrant petals of various colors, like roses, lilies, and irises, materialized and swirled around him.

  With a wave of his sword, Vuldo sent this mass of enchanted flowers surging toward Rawna. Each petal was infused with the essence of life and became weapons in their own right. They whirled and danced through the air like a beautiful yet deadly storm of nature's fury.

  Rawna, usually unshaken, found herself momentarily suprised by the sheer beauty and of this magical attack. The flowers' petals began to strike her with remarkable precision.

  Rawna attempted to evade the encroaching petals, but Vuldo's control over them was relentless. The vibrant blossoms closed in, striking her from various angles. Rawna grunted in pain.

  Vuldo, with a commanding gesture, triggered the flowers explosive properties. The resulting spectacle was a dazzling array of radiant colors.

  When dust and petals settled, Vuldo stood with a calm look. Rawna emerged, looking unscathed.

  Vuldo raised his sword with a confident grin. He declared, "You've always had that tough exterior, Rawna, but I know your weaknesses."

  He took a deep breath and channeled his sword magic once more. This time, the life energy that surrounded him began to take shape, forming into ethereal vines that extended toward Rawna, aiming to wrap around her and restrain her movements.

  Rawna summoned her own magical power to resist the binding by unleashing a purplish aura around her body. The clash of energies filled the arena. Vuldo's lifeforce vines battled Rawna's willpower.

  Vuldo spoke despite the clash calmly and raised up one hand. "I may not have your same coldness, Rawna, but I won't let that stop me from doing what needs to be done to pierce you."

  Rawna broke free from Vuldo’s binding attempt. She stepped back with a glare.

  Vuldo summoned a swirling vortex of petals composed of roses, lilies, and irises. "I'm going to pierce through your defenses, Rawna. Mark my words."